Friday, September 19, 2008

What Would It Prove?

“I am ready for a debate with the U.S. presidential candidates over global issues in the presence of the media at the U.N. Headquarters.” -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

So FoxNews and the AFP report that Iran’s President wants to debate either Senator Obama and Senator McCain, or both, while he’s in New York visiting the U.N.? But only if the debate takes place in the presence of the media. Right . . . I wonder if either candidate would seriously consider taking him up on his offer. What would it prove? That President Ahmadinejad is more-than-slightly off kilter? We all know that. That President Ahmadinejad likes to use the media to advance his unrealistic world-view? We all know that. That President Ahmadinejad, and the regime he represents, is a threat to world peace. Again, we all know that. So what would it prove? Nothing.

I don’t think Senator McCain would consider giving this guy more status than he deserves by engaging in a debate in front of the U.N. and the media. He’s too smart and too savvy. On the other hand, Senator Obama has, in the past, said that he’d negotiate with leaders of Iran and Syria if he’s elected. Maybe he’d consider a debate instead of a negotiation. After all, Senator Obama has called for tougher U.N. sanctions on Iran, saying that sanctions need to have some teeth; and President Ahmadinejad has more or less said “bring it on.” According to President Ahmadinejad, “Those who want to impose sanctions are demonstrating their helplessness.” He’s basically challenged the U.N. and other countries to impose sanctions for defying the U.N.’s call to halt uranium enrichment and for stalling the U.N.’s investigation into Iran’s nuclear program. He said “Let them impose sanctions against us . . . The more they impose sanctions, the more we thank God.” So, it appears there’s a definite point of conflict between Senator Obama’s call for tougher sanctions and President Ahmadinejad’s challenge to set the sanctions. Perhaps that could be an interesting topic for a debate . . . or negotiation. If, of course, anyone wanted to listen to hot air being dispelled by two blowhards who are better at talking than thinking.